I don't pretend to have a unique or special viewpoint, but I was in New York City during the recent events that have so dramatically affected all of us. I am writing this down and sending it to you simply to record and share with you the events of a day I will never forget for the rest of my life.

A little background. I have been working in "the city" almost 4 years now, for Net Quotient Consulting Group, an internet software consulting company. Last month, I ended a 31 month engagement with Dun & Bradstreet. Originally located in NOHO (North Of Houston), they recently moved the team to One World Trade Center (WTC). Then, on August 3rd, my contract ended. They even had a departure lunch to say good bye to me (you can even see the pictures, http://pages.prodigy.net/stevenharris/dnb/). They couldn't afford to keep me as a consultant, but were sufficiently impressed that they offered me a job. But, for reasons I won't go into here, I declined, and so ended up on the "beach" (a term used to refer to a consultant who is not currently billable).

This morning began as every morning begins, with a routine commute into "the city." I arrived at about 8:20 am. I quickly got engrossed in work, when suddenly, I heard a low flying aircraft fly over our building (our office is located on the top floor of a 45 West 25th Street). My immediate reaction was, when will I hear the crash. For some reason, the picture of a plane striking a building nearby came to mind. Of course, I dismissed that thought and got back into my work. Shortly thereafter, my wife, Charlotte called and told me that a plane had just crashed into the World Trade Center.

I work in cubicle filled space, so I stood up and announced the news to my co-workers. Knowing that I could go down to street level and see this for myself, I headed for the elevator, to be greeted by my boss, who had seen the same plane I heard, and who had also seen the hole in the WTC. I went down and saw it for myself. Even though we are located approximately 3 miles north of the WTC, it is quite easy to see from almost any north-south avenue. Yes, there was extensive damage to the top of the very same building I had worked in, the North Tower, or One WTC. Starved for more information, I returned to the office to try and learn more.

Not having a TV, my only sources of information were the Web and a radio or two. Shortly after returning to the office, I receive yet another call from my wife. (She played a valuable role in supplying me with information throughout this day.) Another plane has crashed into the WTC. I announce this information, and make a second trip to see for myself. Not too different a sight then earlier, just a lot more smoke. Two WTC is almost entirely obscured by One WTC, so I couldn't see much more. Again, I return to the office.

This time, there are messages waiting. Charlotte's called to see If I'm all right, and when I would come home. I reassure her that I am alright, and that I would assess my options and come home when prudent. The next call from her informs me that smoke is coming out of the Pentagon. Then, on the radio, we hear that Two WTC has collapsed.

As a group, we leave the office to confirm this for ourselves. We see lots of smoke, and, in some of the gaps, we can confirm that Two WTC does indeed look to be missing. We eventually wind our way over to a better vantage point, and it is from here that I saw an event that will forever live in my memory. While watching the fire consume more and more of One WTC, we see it collapse before our very own eyes. The building that I had been working in just a month earlier was gone.

Throughout all of this, I was in a state of shock. There is no experience in my life that could have prepared me for this day. No action I could take to change things. It seemed right out of a Tom Clancy novel. (In fact, I am in the midst of reading his latest, "The Bear and the Dragon.") But it was real. Very real. I had seen it my self, so I couldn't deny it. But, what response was appropriate? How can you possible reconcile this kind of tragedy? I saw the same look in the people around me. My co-workers, people on the street. Some were openly crying. But most were just a little bit glassy eyed, with a "how can this be happening?" or an "I can't believe this is happening" look.

Eventually, I made it home. But, the events of the day still haunt me. I don't suspect nightmares or trouble sleeping, but I am afraid that the world has changed, and that fear and paranoia will play a larger role in life as we know it.

For all of the people directly affected by this tragedy, by the loss of or injury to a loved one or friend, I wish the very best. For people like you and me, who were (I hope) affected only at a distance, let us strive to put the world back together so that it is a better world, not a world dominated by fear and paranoia.

I wish all of you the best.

Steven Harris